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There is a contented sound of “No More Lockdown” now, and Retail seems to be back in the game. Consumers are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel as all restrictions and rules become easier to follow across the country. In the face of quarantine, order from home, business closures, and tensions, consumers feel a lot of emotions. Is There a Solution? Revenge shopping.
According to the National Retail Federation, growth will reach 18-23% in 2021. Ultimately, we can say it’s roaring twenties. Having said that, the concern now is what we should do as retailers in order to prepare for a return to brick and mortar stores.
In revenge shopping, consumers increase their spending in order to retaliate for lost time. The reason for its importance lies in its ability to boost sales and maintain businesses. After vaccinations have been administered, shoppers are ready to attempt in-person shopping once more. Shoppers are willing to spend money on clothing because of their willingness to go out for dinner and hang out with friends.
What is Revenge Shopping?
The term revenge shopping is not a new one that you do not know. It has been used to refer to a variety of things, from women going on shopping sprees after being broken up with to having unlimited makeup accessories with their husbands’ credit cards. Pandemic, however, takes on a different meaning; the act of catching up on misplaced time.
Due to their recent lack of luxury, revenge shoppers choose to spend tremendously on extravagant items rather than purchasing ordinary items.
As a result of the pandemic, COVID-19, and business closures, customers are ready to buy products of popular brands like Gucci, Chanel, and plan long vacations. The bottom line is that people are tired of staying at home and working like they have been for the past year.
It will surprise you to know that recently Hermes, one of the world’s leading luxury fashion brands, recorded a sales figure of 2.7 million dollars for its Chinese flagship store on its first day of reopening in Guangzhou.
Revenge Shopping: Who Can Benefit?
Despite people’s inability to go out due to the pandemic, consumers’ shopping behavior has changed. Most of the home and grocery items are sold during pandemic, and it is estimated that supermarkets have a higher level of online traffic during pandemic.
During the pandemic, luxury made a comeback because fashion, beauty, and jewelry industries suffered the most losses. In light of this, it is easier to think that these industries are also benefited by revenge shopping.
Likewise, in-person shopping has not been as popular among consumers in the past year. Because of lockdowns and apprehensions of social distancing, people turn to eCommerce both for preference and necessity.
According to a report by Oberlo, ecommerce sales will account for 18.1% of retail sales worldwide. These numbers are huge in terms of revenue, and the cause of this big sale is just pandemic.
Read more on: eCommerce Online Stores are Boon to Shoppers
Online shopping is something that everyone has done without trying first. It highlighted the difficulty of only using digital channels due to the large number of purchases we have made over the past year. Taking home a shopping bag when it is delivered is not a thrill that even the quickest delivery can match.
How Can You Prepare Your Business For Revenge Shopping?
It is unrealistic to expect revenge shopping to fix all the financial woes we have faced. The lifting of restrictions will certainly result in a boost in sales, but that doesn’t mean businesses will return to normal. Brookings Institute estimates that U.S. consumption won’t reach 2019 levels until at least 2022.
In this teetering recovery, what should retailers think about?
1. Get to know your customers
When it comes to businesses, the best way to solve problems is to do what the customers say, which is an obvious truth. When you learn to listen to your customers, chances are high that you will succeed in business.
When businesses are about to shut down due to a pandemic, it is difficult for anyone to survive. Thankfully, the pandemic effect is about to fade, businesses are reopening and offering again.
When the time has changed, chances are high that your existing customers are not the same ones you offered previously. Their needs and wants might change, so you need to listen to them and make sure they are happy with your services as always.
It is no surprise that BOPIS are becoming more popular or that shopping experiences are becoming more personalized. Understanding your customer’s needs and wants will help you determine whether or not they are happy.
Read more on: BOPIS: What can it do for Retailers and Customers?
2. Give Exclusive Offers to your Customers
Building it and they will come works in the movies, but business is a different field and there’s more to it than just building it. Customers won’t come if you don’t give them something they think is exclusive or special.
Since we all see things in the same way, we are all easily manipulated by the greed of someone. This is not just about me, but also about you, and that’s nothing but a benefit we get from the other side. It is the same in business: you need to entice customers by offering them exclusive offers on your best-selling goods.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, retailers must take note that consumers’ appetite for chaos and disorganization will likely be reduced even more. There is considerable pent-up demand for in-store shopping, but consumers may shy away from you if your store is aimed at resembling your online store, as is often the case.
3. Improve the online-to-offline shopping experience
Before the pandemic, online-to-offline (O2O) retail was slowly gaining traction, but it quickly became a necessity after in-store retail was forced to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. Customers need more flexible Omnichannel shopping options after the pandemic, and they’ll expect these to continue to be available.
Ending Up!
In a competitive market like retail, forecasting the future can be difficult. Nevertheless, revenge shopping is a good idea, as it can help you in many ways. We have outlined a few ways you can prepare for revenge shopping.
Would you like help to protect your business against a pandemic? M-Connect Media can help you. As eCommerce consultants, we know how to protect your business from the ups and downs of post-pandemic retail recovery. Get in touch with us to learn more.
